Reusable bottle cap having identification means

ABSTRACT

A reusable bottle cap system includes a bottle cap and a bottle cap cover. The bottle cap includes a stem portion extending downwardly from a flanged portion. When in use the stem portion is used to seal a bottle mouth. When the bottle cap is not in use the bottle cap cover encloses and houses the stem portion to protect it from debris. The flanged portion includes a complementary mating structure. The bottle cap cover includes a mating structure that engages the complementary mating structure to secure the bottle cap cover to the flanged portion. When the bottle cap cover is secured to the flanged portion the stem portion extends substantially to a closed bottom end of an inside surface of the bottle cap cover.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/321,726, filed on Jul. 1, 2014, which is a divisional U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/852,261 filed on Aug. 6, 2010, now U.S. Pat. No.8,763,831, which claims the benefit of Provisional Application Ser. No.61/289,927, filed on Dec. 23, 2009, and which are incorporated byreference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention pertains generally to methods of environmentalpreservation and saving of natural resources (specifically water), inaddition to preserving manufactured and raw materials. Moreparticularly, the invention relates to a reusable bottle cap deviceproviding identification of own bottle to a user, minimizing oreliminating waste associated with any unused portions of the contentstherein and encouraging reuse of disposable drinking bottles, especiallywater bottles.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Many reusable bottle caps have been introduced heretofore also employingidentification means. One early example was proposed by Brixious and wasgranted U.S. patent protection in 1961, entitled “Identifying Device,”U.S. Pat. No. 2,976,629.

According to Brixious, in bowling alleys, particularly during team playin league competition, spectators and players alike are present in largenumbers. On such occasions, as well as similar gatherings, beveragessuch as soft drinks, beer and the like are purchased by both spectatorsand players who are constantly moving about, and during consumptionthereof often set their drinks down at the most convenient location withthe intention of returning thereto. Due to the large number of drinksthat may be temporarily deposited in a relatively restricted area, andthe fact that the players and spectators move about during the period ofplay, confusion as to the ownership of the various drinks often arises.

In more recent times, the dominant beverage consuming activity hasbecome drinking water from bottles comprised of polyethylene orpolyurethane plastic in such gatherings such as: company picnics,sporting events, hiking, camping, boating, industry and politicalconventions, trade shows, academic conferences, construction sites,professional groups, and a myriad of networking and social gatherings.The total bottled water consumption has grown vastly in our most recenthistory. According to the Bottled Water—Global Industry Guide, themarket for bottled water grew by 7% in the year 2006 alone.Additionally, they provide a market forecast of an increase inconsumption every year with a total increase of 51% by 2011 since the2006 levels. This comes to approximately 174 billion liters of waterconsumed in a year from bottled water.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to minimize thewaste associated with beverage (especially water) drinkers losing trackof a beverage (especially water) bottle after the contents have beenonly partially or marginally consumed. Also, the practice of washing,rinsing, and reusing beverage (especially water) bottles is increasingin practice. Hence, it is an additional object of the present inventionto promote this practice and therefore reduce non-biodegradable landfillwaste and raw material consumption.

Not surprisingly, more recent efforts to gain patent protection onbeverage identification means have emerged. Two such examples are U.S.Pat. No. 6,745,505, entitled “Color Coded Beverage Cap Collection withPermanent Passive Indicia Indicating Beverage Bottle User Identities,”to Moran; and U.S. Pub. Pat. App. No. 2009/0026104, entitled “Bottle-CapIdentification System,” disclosed by Cassidy. It is an objective of thepresent invention to provide a novel alternative design to those thathave been proposed in the prior art that can be can be configured todifferent beverage (especially water) bottles having varied threadconfigurations and varied diameter openings at the top, through whichthe contents are delivered. It is further an object of the presentinvention to provide a design that may be inexpensively cast to a moldand mass produced and therefore comparatively cost effective. It isstill further an object of the present invention to provide a bottle capcover to protect the bottle cap from dirt and debris while not in use,thereby maintaining hygiene and thus maximizing the usable life of thepresent invention. It is still further noted that the present inventionwill be sufficiently sturdy to withstand repeated washings, therebyencouraging multiple uses.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention specifically addresses and alleviates the abovementioned deficiencies associated with the prior art. More particularly,the present invention, in a first aspect is directed to a reusablebottle cap system (bottle plus cover) comprising: a bottle cap portioncomprising: a stem portion about a vertical axis; and a flanged ringportion about an upper end of the stem portion, wherein the stem portionfurther comprises a plurality of successive U-shaped grooves along alength thereof, the U-shaped grooves forming a crest and a trough, thecrest between two adjacent troughs forming a point.

The reusable bottle cap system is further characterized wherein theplurality of successive U-shaped grooves are aligned perpendicular tothe vertical axis. The invention in this aspect is additionallycharacterized in that the flanged ring portion comprises an outsidesurface that extends outwardly and downward smoothly and continuously toform a rounded ring from a lateral side to a top surface. Still furtherthe invention is characterized wherein the lateral side comprises a lipthat extends inward toward the stem portion. The stem also comprises aslight taper.

Furthermore, the reusable bottle cap system of this invention aspect ischaracterized wherein the stem is hollow throughout its length from atop end to a bottom end, further except wherein a hollow stem is closedat the bottom end. Also, stem may be hollow throughout its length from atop end to a bottom end; or alternatively hollow except that it isclosed at either a top end or a bottom end.

The reusable bottle cap system herein is further characterized ascomprising a bottle cap cover to house and enclose the stem portion, thebottle cap cover further comprising: a crown at a top end thereof; amid-portion comprising a surface having a convex shape; and a mouthhaving a lip wherein the lip comprises a groove, the groove configuredto mate with complementary structure of the bottle cap, wherein thebottle cap cover is designed to keep the bottle cap free from dirt anddebris when not in use.

The cover to the bottle cap is also characterized as comprising aneyelet protruding from the crown, the eyelet designed to link to a keychain of a user. Alternatively, the eyelet protrudes from themid-portion of the cover.

In a second aspect, the invention is characterized as a reusable bottlecap comprising: a stem portion about a vertical axis; and a flanged ringportion about an upper end of the stem portion, wherein the stem portionfurther comprises a two semi-circular grooves along a length thereof,the semi-circular grooves configured to receive two O-rings. Theinvention in this aspect is characterized wherein the flanged ringportion comprises a plurality of lengthwise ridges, the ridges designedto improve grasping of the bottle cap.

The invention is additionally characterized in that the flanged ringportion further comprises a top portion, the top portion having acircular recess configured to receive a marker of the present invention.The flanged ring portion also has a lateral side, the lateral sidehaving a lip protruding inward toward the stem portion, the lipconfigured to mate with complementary structure on a bottle cap cover.The invention is also characterized wherein the stem is hollowthroughout its length from a top end to a bottom end, wherein a hollowportion in the stem is further tapered from a top end to a bottom end.The reusable bottle cap in this aspect further comprises polyethylene orpolyurethane material, the polyethylene or polyurethane material beingpliable to allow for compression of the cap to form an effective seal tothe mouths of bottles of varying diameter.

In yet another aspect, the invention is characterized as reusable bottlecap comprising: a stem portion about a vertical axis; and a flanged ringportion about an upper end of the stem portion, wherein the flanged ringportion further comprises a top portion and a lateral side, wherein thelateral side extends downward and outward from the top portion at asubstantially constant negative slope, and wherein the top portioncomprises a circular recess configured to receive a circularidentification marker. The invention in this aspect is furthercharacterized wherein the recess further comprises a lip around a rimthereof, and wherein the recess further comprises a plurality ofcavities to receive a plurality of pins configured to the circularidentification marker.

Additionally in this aspect, the stem further comprises a cylindricalbase having a plurality of radial ridges protruding therefrom, whereinat an area where the ridges meet with the cylindrical base is devoid ofa smooth and continuous transition. Also in this embodiment, the stemportion is hollow throughout its length from a top end to a bottom end,further except wherein a hollow stem is closed at the top end.

In still another aspect, the invention is characterized as a bottle capcover to house and enclose a bottle cap stem portion, the bottle capcover comprising: a crown at a top end thereof; a mid-portion; and amouth having a lip wherein the lip comprises a groove, the grooveconfigured to mate with complementary structure of the bottle cap,wherein the bottle cap cover is designed to keep the bottle cap freefrom dirt and debris when not in use.

The cover is further characterized wherein the mid-portion comprises asurface having a convex shape. Also, the cover further comprises aneyelet protruding from the crown, the eyelet designed to link to a keychain of a user. Alternatively, the eyelet protrudes from themid-portion.

In yet still another aspect, the invention is a reusable bottle capcomprising: a stem portion about a vertical axis; and a flanged ringportion about an upper end of the stem portion, the flanged ring portionhaving an opening at a top end configured to receive an identificationmarker, the identification marker coupled to the flanged ring portiontop end via a living hinge.

The invention can be better visualized by turning now to the followingdrawings wherein like elements are referenced by like numerals.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features of this invention, as well as the invention itself,both as to its structure and its operation, will be best understood fromthe accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdescription, in which similar reference characters refer to similarparts, and in which:

FIG. 1A is a perspective illustration of a first preferred embodiment ofthe present invention with a corresponding bottle cap cover;

FIG. 1B is a profile view of the invention embodiment illustrated inFIG. 1A;

FIG. 1C illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along sectional line1C-1C in FIG. 1B;

FIG. 2A is a profile view of a second preferred bottle cap system of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2B illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along sectional line2B-2B in FIG. 2A;

FIG. 2C illustrates an enlarged view of an area as identified in FIG.2B;

FIG. 2D is a profile view of a first preferred bottle cap cover;

FIG. 2E illustrates a cross-sectional view of the bottle cap cover ofpresent invention taken along sectional line 2E-2E in FIG. 2D;

FIG. 2F is a perspective view of the second preferred bottle capembodiment illustrated of the present invention;

FIG. 2G illustrates a profile view of the second preferred reusablebottle cap;

FIG. 2H illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along sectional line2H-2H in FIG. 2F and again in FIG. 2G;

FIG. 3A is a perspective illustration of a third preferred reusablebottle cap of the present invention;

FIG. 3B is a profile view of the invention embodiment illustrated inFIG. 3A;

FIG. 3C illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along sectional line3C-3C in FIG. 3A and again in FIG. 3B;

FIG. 4 is a perspective illustration of another preferred bottle capsystem of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematical illustration of another preferred embodimentemploying a marker as identification means;

FIGS. 6A through 6E illustrate how the present invention may beapplicable to a variety of beverage (especially water) bottle designs;

FIG. 7A illustrates a perspective view of an additional bottle capembodiment from an above vantage point;

FIG. 7B illustrates a perspective view of the bottle cap embodiment froma side vantage point;

FIG. 7C is a perspective view of the reusable bottle cap embodiment withan identification marker removed;

FIG. 7D is an additional perspective view of the reusable bottle capfrom an underneath vantage point;

FIG. 7E is a perspective view of an additional bottle cap coverembodiment;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a variation of the embodiment illustratedin FIG. 2H; and

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a living hinge embodiment applicable toan identification marker.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to FIG. 1A, a first preferred reusable bottle cap 110system 100 of the present invention is illustrated in perspective. Theupper portion of the drawing shows a reusable bottle cap 110 while thelower portion comprises a bottle cap 130 cover to protect the cap 100from dirt and debris while not in use. The cap cover may further includean eyelet 131 for connecting to a key chain of a user as desired.

With regard to FIG. 1B and FIG. 1C, profile and sectional views of thefirst preferred bottle cap 110 are illustrated respectively. The cap 110generally includes a stern portion 115 and a flanged ring portion 111about an upper end of the stem portion 115. The stem 115 is configuredto mate with an inner rim of a beverage (especially water) bottleopening, as shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6A through FIG. 6E. The stemportion 115 is additionally characterized in that it is hollow 120through its length except that its bottom end is closed 121 (FIG. 1C).In this and in other embodiments, the stem further has a slight taper218 (FIG. 2G) from top to bottom 121 to fit the inner rim of the mouthof beverage (especially water) bottles of varying inner diameters (FIGS.5 and 6A through 6E). This particular stem embodiment 115 comprises twogrooves machined around a circumference thereof; the grooves areadditionally configured to receive two O-rings 116 wherein the O-ringsassist in forming a seal in the top opening of a beverage (especiallywater) bottle (FIG. 6B).

Also referring to FIG. 1A through FIG. 1C, a flanged ring portion 111 ofthe bottle cap 110 generally extends outwardly from the upper stem andthen extends downward to surround an upper rim of a bottle cap opening.A lateral side of the ring 111 extends slightly inward forming a lip119. This lip 119 is configured to be received by the bottle cap cover130, 230 similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2A through FIG. 2C. Itis additionally contemplated herein that the bottle cap 110, 210, 310,410, 510, 710, 810, 910 may be comprised of polyethylene or polyurethanematerial of sufficient pliability to allow for compression of the cap toform an effective (i.e., watertight) seal to the mouths of bottles ofvarying inner diameter. Also in a preferred embodiment, the bottle caps110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 710, 810 and covers 130, 230, 430, 730 hereinare comprised of biodegradable plastic and can be configured to sodabottles or beer bottles etc.

Referring to FIG. 2A through FIG. 2C, a second preferred reusable bottlecap system 200 is illustrated. This embodiment includes ridges 213 alonga lateral side of the flanged ring portion 211. The ridges 213 may beuseful to aid in grasping of the bottle cap 210 by a user. Further, thestem portion comprises successive U-shaped grooves 216, 217 along itslength; the U-shaped grooves being directly adjacent to one anotherforming a crest 216 and a trough 217; the crest 216 between two adjacenttroughs 217 forming a point 216.

Further to FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B, the bottle cap 210 is illustratedcoupled to a bottle cap cover 230 for storage of the bottle cap when notin use. The cover 230 may optionally include an eyelet 231 so that thecover 230 and bottle cap 210 together may be conveniently carried on akey chain. The cover 230 is generally bell shaped, but could also beconical in shape, or barrel shaped 430, 730.

With regard to FIG. 2C, an enlarged view of a lip portion 219 of thebottle cap ring mating with a groove 233 of a rim 232 of the bottle capcover is illustrated (FIG. 2D and FIG. 2E). As stated, the lip portion219 extends inward slightly to form a complementary union with the rim232 and groove 233 encircling the outer circumference of the open end ofthe cover 230. The mating is sized and configured such that the twopieces 210, 230 can snap together with a minimal amount of force. It isfurther contemplated herein that a bottle cap 210 and cover 230comprised of different colors would serve a purpose of identification.

Referring to FIG. 2H, the bottle cap 210 herein may have a hollow 220stem 215, however closed 221 at a bottom end. Alternatively withreference to FIG. 8, the bottle cap 810 hollow 820 stem may be closed822 at a top end.

FIG. 3A illustrates a perspective view of a third preferred bottle cap310 embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 3B is a profile view ofthe third preferred embodiment 310; and FIG. 3C illustrates across-sectional view taken along sectional line 3C-3C. In thisembodiment, the flanged ring portion 311 has an outside surface thatextends outwardly and downward smoothly and continuously to form arounded ring from lateral side to a top surface. Stated differently, theflanged ring portion 311 has a surface having a slope 312, the slope iscontinuously increasing and negative from a top to a lateral sidewithout a step change in slope 312. Further, the flanged ring portion311 is configured to fit around mouths of bottles of varying outerdiameter. Additionally, the stem 315 is hollow 320 throughout itsvertical axis through which a user may dispense of the contents or sothat a straw would be permitted to fit through the stern 315.

FIG. 4 illustrates yet another reusable bottle cap system 400 comprisingbottle cap 410 and cover 430. It should be readily appreciated that manycap embodiments 110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 710, 810, 910 could be coupledto different cover embodiments 130, 230, 430. FIG. 4 is furtherillustrative of a bottle cap cover 430 having an eyelet 431 on a sidethereof. In this configuration, the cover 430 is generally in the shapeof a tea cup having a flat bottom end continuously curving to an openupper end comprising a rim 432 and groove 433.

With regard to FIG. 5, a schematic illustration of yet another inventionembodiment is shown. In this variation, the bottle cap top comprises acircular recess 522 to receive a color coded or labeled marker 523. Thislabeling may further comprise one or more of the following: anindividual's name/initials/monogram; a company name/moniker/emblemand/or contact information and/or website and/or social networking page(e.g. MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, etc.) and/or logo; any or all of thesame information for a sports team, a musical artist/band, or afictional/real character. The recess 522 is sized such that the marker523 will fit snugly thereto. Further, a relief may be provided to therecess 522 to assist a user in removing the marker 523.

With reference to FIG. 6A to FIG. 6E, a manner in which the bottle cap110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 710, 810, 910 can mate to the inside of theopening of a beverage (especially water) bottle is illustrated withvarious examples. Since the bottle cap contains a slight taper 218, itcan mate with a variety of water bottles available at retail having aslightly different size opening. Also, the invention will fit a waterbottle regardless of the thread configuration on the outer part of theopening.

Now turning to FIG. 7A through FIG. 7E, another preferred embodiment ofthe present invention is illustrated and generally comprises reusablebottle cap 710 with a cover 730 thereto. FIG. 7A more specificallyillustrates an identification marker 723 coupled to a flanged ringportion 711. Close inspection of FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B reveals that thestem portion 715 comprises different structure than in previousembodiment. More particularly, the stem 715 has a cylindrical base 717and therefore the surface between adjacent peaks 716 is substantiallyflat. The peaks 716 themselves are additionally different than previousembodiment in that they protrude outward with a slight convex surface;whereas the previous embodiment 215 comprises a concave surface 217 to apeak 216 also comprising a point 216, 716. Additionally, since the peaks716 comprise a surface that is slightly convex, then also the peaks 716are not flat or thin like a wafer.

With reference to FIG. 7C, a perspective view of the reusable bottle capembodiment with an identification marker 723 removed is shown.Identification marker 723 is configured to be received by a recess 722carved out of the flanged ring portion 711. More specifically, themarker 723 comprises a plurality of pins 725 configured to be receivedby a respective plurality of cavities 724. With regard to FIG. 7D, theflanged ring portion 711 and stem 715 are hollow 720 so that into whicha straw could fit if the marker 723 was removed. As with otherembodiments, the underside of the flanged ring portion 711 has a lip 719configured to connect to a lip 732 and groove 733 of a bottle cap cover730 (FIG. 7E). In this embodiment 730, the bottle cap cover 730 isbarrel shaped and not bell shaped 230 or cone shaped. The barrel shape730 in this modification will result in more usable surface area toaffix a logo or a design thereto. The embodiment similarly comprises aneyelet 731. It is still further contemplated that marker 523, 723 and/orbottle cap 110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 710, 810, 910 may comprisecold-activated material, in which a temperature change will cause achemical within the material to change color, further providingidentification means of own bottle (FIG. 6A through FIG. 6E).

With regard to FIG. 9, an alternative embodiment that has anidentification marker 923 coupled to a bottle cap 910 with a livinghinge 929. The living hinge comprises a thin, narrow plastic materialthat is able to pivot forming a hinge. Stem 915 is illustrated as anexample and could be replaced with other stem designs of the presentinvention. It is further contemplated that identification marker 923could act as a lid to the bottle cap 910, so that the cap 910 itselfwould not have to be removed to expel bottle contents. Marker 923further comprises a vertical surface 928 to mate with a vertical surface922 on flanged ring portion 911.

Many alterations and modifications may be made by those having ordinaryskill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention. Therefore, it must be understood that the illustratedembodiments have been set forth only for the purposes of example andthat it should not be taken as limiting the invention as defined by thefollowing claims. For example, notwithstanding the fact that theelements of a claim are set forth below in a certain combination, itmust be expressly understood that the invention includes othercombinations of fewer, more or different elements, which are disclosedabove even when not initially claimed in such combinations.

Insubstantial changes from the claimed subject matter as viewed by aperson with ordinary skill in the art, now known or later devised, areexpressly contemplated as being equivalently within the scope of theclaims. Therefore, obvious substitutions now or later known to one withordinary skill in the art are defined to be within the scope of thedefined elements.

While the particular Reusable Bottle Cap Having Identification Means asherein shown and disclosed in detail is fully capable of obtaining theobjects and providing the advantages herein before stated, it is to beunderstood that it is merely illustrative of the presently preferredembodiments of the invention and that no limitations are intended to thedetails of construction or design herein shown other than as describedin the appended claims.

What I claim is:
 1. A reusable bottle cap system comprising: a bottlecap including: a stem portion extending along an axis from an upper endof the stem portion to a lower end of the stem portion, the stem portionconfigured to mate with a beverage bottle opening whereby the stemportion extends into and thereby seals the bottle opening, the stemportion including a plurality of successive raised ridges for sealingthe beverage bottle opening; and a flanged portion extending laterallyfrom the upper end of the stem portion, the flanged portion including alateral side and a complementary mating structure; and a bottle capcover including a mating structure that engages with the complementarymating structure of the flanged portion of the bottle cap whereby thebottle cap cover encloses and houses the stem portion to protect thestem portion from debris when the bottle cap is not in use and wherebythe bottle cap cover defines an inside surface that extends downwardlyfrom a top end to a closed bottom end of the inside surface, the stemportion substantially extends to the closed bottom end of the insidesurface.
 2. The reusable bottle cap system of claim 1 wherein the stemportion tapers from the upper end toward the lower end.
 3. The reusablebottle cap system of claim 1 wherein the mating structure andcomplementary mating structure couple by snapping together.
 4. Thereusable bottle cap system of claim 1 wherein the complementary matingstructure couples to an outer circumference of an open end of the bottlecap cover.
 5. The reusable bottle cap system of claim 1 wherein thecomplementary mating structure includes a lip that extends inwardlytoward the stem portion.
 6. The reusable bottle cap system of claim 5wherein the mating structure defines a groove that receives the lip whenthe bottle cap cover is placed over the stem portion.
 7. The reusablebottle cap system of claim 1 wherein the bottle cap cover includes acrown, mid-portion, and a mouth portion whereby the stem portion isreceived into the mouth portion, the mouth portion includes the matingstructure that engages with the complementary mating structure.
 8. Thereusable bottle cap system of claim 7 wherein the crown defines aneyelet for carrying the reusable bottle cap system when the reusablebottle cap is not in use.
 9. The reusable bottle cap system of claim 7wherein the mid-portion of the bottle cap cover has a concave outershape.
 10. The reusable bottle cap system of claim 1 wherein the bottlecap cover has one of a generally bell shape, a generally barrel shape,and a generally conical shape.
 11. A reusable bottle cap systemcomprising: a bottle cap cover including a crown, a mid-portion, and amouth, the mouth defining a mating structure; and a bottle cap includinga stem portion and a flanged portion, the stem portion extending alongan axis from an upper end of the stem portion to a lower end of the stemportion, the stem portion configured to be received into an opening of abeverage bottle to thereby seal the beverage bottle the stem portiontapering continuously from the upper end of the stem portion to thelower end of the stem portion; and the flanged portion extending fromthe upper end of the stem portion, the flanged portion including alateral side that defines a complementary mating structure whereby whenthe stem portion is fully received into the mouth, the mating structurecouples to the complementary mating structure and the bottle cap coverhouses, encloses, and protects the stem portion from debris when thereusable bottle cap is not in use and whereby the bottle cap coverdefines an inside surface that extends downwardly from a top end to aclosed bottom end of the inside surface, the stem portion substantiallyextends to the closed bottom end of the inside surface.
 12. The reusablebottle cap of claim 11 wherein the stem includes one of O-rings, raisedridges, and raised peaks for sealing to a mouth of the beverage bottle.13. The reusable bottle cap of claim 11 wherein the stem is hollowthroughout its vertical axis to allow a user to dispense contentsthrough the cap during use.
 14. The reusable bottle cap of claim 11wherein the flanged portion includes a top surface defining a recess forreceiving a marker.
 15. The reusable bottle cap of claim 11 wherein thecomplementary mating structure includes a lip that extends inwardlytoward the stem portion.
 16. A bottle cap system comprising a reusablebottle cap and a bottle cap cover, the reusable bottle cap including astem portion extending along an axis from an upper end to a lower endand closed at the lower end and a flanged portion extending from theupper end of the stem portion including a lateral side that defines acomplementary mating structure, the bottle cap cover further comprising:a crown; a mid-portion; and a mouth portion defining a mating structurethat couples to the complementary mating structure when the stem portionis received into the mouth portion whereby the bottle cap cover protectsthe stem portion from debris when the reusable bottle cap is not in useand whereby the bottle cap cover defines an inside surface that extendsdownwardly from a top end to a closed bottom end of the inside surface,the stem portion substantially extends to the closed bottom end of theinside surface.
 17. The bottle cap cover of claim 16 wherein the crowndefines an eyelet for carrying the bottle cap cover and the reusablebottle cap when the reusable bottle cap is not in use.
 18. The bottlecap cover of claim 16 wherein the bottle cap cover has one of agenerally bell shape, a generally barrel shape, and a generally conicalshape.